Arm lift flexion device

Abstract

The present invention describes an elbow flexion device that can be placed on a table or the tray of a wheelchair. The arm to be raised is placed into a cradle in the device for receiving such arm. Motion is controlled by means of a control device actuated by movement of the hand of the other arm.

1. An elbow flexion device comprising
 A base, comprised of a top surface and a bottom surface, in which said top and bottom surfaces are not parallel, creating an angle on the top surface of the base so that the flexion device is inclined from a horizontal plane, 
 A bi-directional actuator mounted to said base, 
 A control unit for actuating said bi-directional actuator, 
 A drive screw attached to such actuator such that activation of the actuator rotates the drive screw, 
 A nut threaded to said drive screw, 
 A rigid strap rotatably connecting said nut to an arm cradle, 
 Said arm cradle for holding users arm, and 
 A pivot support attached to said base for providing a pivoting support for said arm cradle. 
 
   
   
     2. The device of  claim 1 , in which the base comprises two bottom surfaces fixedly joined at an angle, so that the flexion device is inclined from a horizontal plane either to the user's left or right. 
   
   
     3. The device of  claim 2 , in which the bottom surfaces of the base are disposed at equal angles to the flexion device, permitting the device to be used by either arm of the user. 
   
   
     4. The device of  claim 1 , in which the control unit actuates the actuator through wireless means. 
   
   
     5. The device of  claim 1 , in which the control unit contains a double throw, momentary contact switch. 
   
   
     6. The device of  claim 5 , in which the double throw, momentary contact switch is a rocker switch. 
   
   
     7. The device of  claim 5 , in which the double throw, momentary contact switch is a joystick. 
   
   
     8. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a utensil holder attachment equipped with an actuator to provide powered angular movement and controls enabling automatic operation. 
   
   
     9. The device of  claim 8 , in which the utensil hold attachment is actuated by a solenoid. 
   
   
     10. The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a utensil. 
   
   
     11. The device of  claim 10 , in which the utensil is a fork. 
   
   
     12. The device of  claim 10 , in which the utensil is a spoon. 
   
   
     13. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a scoop plate.